In a world filled with screens and digital distractions, the idea of sending children to half term and holiday camps might seem old-fashioned to some. However, these camps offer more than what you might think… far beyond just keeping kids occupied during school holidays. While a lot of my career to date has been in Operations and member experience within the fitness industry, I have always been lucky enough to work in some capacity with children. From my first ever job as a team member for a children’s theme park to my time at David Lloyd and managing the kids’ team and products to now working with some of the best childcare providers in the country.

Within this blog I’m going to talk about the benefits of holiday camps to children, my own personal experience from attending as a child to visiting as an adult and what to consider if you are interested in working with children and where to start, as holiday camp roles can be the perfect way to begin your career in childcare. 

Let’s start at the beginning, holiday camps are perfecting for promoting independence and confidence (I speak from experience here). Growing up, camps provided me with the  opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and navigate new experiences from making new friends to trying new things, away from the familiarity of home and school. I believe you learn to make decisions, solve problems, and manage daily tasks, giving you that little bit more independence. 

Camps bring together children from diverse backgrounds, creating an environment where they learn to communicate and form lasting friendships. Through team-building activities, group games, and shared experiences, children develop essential social skills such as empathy, cooperation, and conflict resolution. These interactions lay the foundation for building strong interpersonal relationships and navigating social dynamics effectively.

Without a doubt my favourite part of holiday camps growing up was being able to play outside and the different activities available to us. Not every camp will offer every activity from go karting, to forestry, kayaking and abseiling but will give children the opportunity to run around and in today's technology-driven world, many children spend more time indoors than outdoors. Let it be a refreshing break (weather permitting of course). Molly and I took a trip to visit Junior Adventures Group's half term camp in February and upon arrival the children were all lined up heading over to the park opposite the club. It was very clear to see they were all excited about being able to play outside with their friends. Swimming followed in the afternoon where the children were all able to partake in a swimming lesson and free play. Holiday camps promote physical activity and healthy living. 

Camps provide a safe and supportive environment for children to explore their interests and talents. From arts and crafts to music, sports, and science experiments, there's a wide range of activities available to spark their creativity and curiosity.

My own personal experience from attending as a child and from my site visits and managing holiday camps as an adult have not been any different to the above. Not only do the children have loads of fun, make lasting memories but they also learn so much. 

Half term and holiday activity leaders and managers are the perfect role for students studying during term time but looking for the flexibility of a seasonal contract, teachers, teaching assistants and school staff who struggle to work outside their school hours but looking for options during the school breaks or parents whose children are slightly older and might not need to be around as much during the holidays, whatever the reason Half term and holiday camps are the perfect fix for those looking for part time, flexible hours that might not have considered holiday work before.  

While a background working in childcare is not always necessary and sometimes the perfect role for those people looking to step into a role in childcare a passion for working with children creating engaging fun activities all day is a must have! The best place to start is making sure your CV reflects this, no matter your experience, and that is something we can help with. Secondly, connect with us online, every single role we ever work on is published to our website and by connecting you will be notified of every role in your area that may be of interest to you. 

For those considering a career in childcare or seeking flexible part-time work, holiday camps offer an ideal starting point. While prior experience isn't always necessary, a genuine passion for working with children is essential. By ensuring your CV reflects your enthusiasm and staying connected with relevant opportunities online, you can embark on a rewarding journey in childcare through holiday camps.

Half term and holiday camps offer far more than just a temporary escape from school routines. The power of Holiday camps promotes independence and confidence to nurturing social skills and promoting physical activity, holiday camps provide a dynamic environment for children to thrive. They offer a valuable opportunity for children to step out of their comfort zones, make lasting friendships, and explore a wide range of activities, both indoors and outdoors.

For more information on Holiday camp vacancies or perfecting your CV please reach out to myself or one of the team!